Kazakhstan Home - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 222

Kazakhstan Emerges as Key Overland Gateway for China-Europe Trade

Trade between China and Central Asia reached $95 billion in 2024, with Kazakhstan accounting for nearly half of that total, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin announced at the Second Meeting of the Central Asia-China Business Council in Astana on June 17. According to Zhumangarin, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China hit a record $44 billion, and both countries aim to double this volume in the coming years. He emphasized Central Asia’s strategic role as a key transit hub for China, sitting at the crossroads of major trade and transport corridors connecting East and West, as well as North and South. Currently, over 80% of overland cargo traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan. Middle Corridor Sees Sharp Growth In 2024, cargo volume along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, increased by 60%, reaching 4.5 million tons. Plans are in place to double that figure to 10 million tons by 2030. The TITR links China and Europe through Central Asia, bypassing Russian territory. Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), reported that railway freight between China and Kazakhstan totaled 14.2 million tons in the first five months of 2025, an 11% increase year-on-year. A significant step in logistics development came on June 10 with the opening of the Zhetysu container terminal in Almaty. Jointly developed by Kazakhstan and China, the terminal is expected to serve as a key hub for the consolidation and distribution of Chinese goods transported by rail and road. It is poised to become a vital node along the Middle Corridor. Digital Trade Expands Zhumangarin also highlighted e-commerce as a key area of bilateral cooperation. Kazakhstan has already established national pavilions on major Chinese platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com. He confirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in participating in China’s initiative to launch a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce, aimed at facilitating digital trade across the region.

Central Asia Home Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Home

Digitizing Central Asia: Interview with Ainura Umaeva, Thought Leader in Communications and Media

This week The Times of Central Asia will be attending the CAMCA Regional Forum, which this year is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The CAMCA network is a collection of professionals and policymakers dedicated to developing Eurasia by sharing ideas, knowledge and inspiration; its name stands for Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan. Ahead of the Forum, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Ainura Umaeva, the Owner and CEO of TIDAM Communications Agency in Almaty -- and a leader in strategic communications and advisory -- about what the CAMCA program means for the Eurasian communications and digital industries, and what the future might hold for women doing business in Central Asia. TCA: What condition do you feel the digital and information spaces are currently in – in Kazakhstan, and elsewhere in the Eurasia region? AU: Kazakhstan has made remarkable progress in digitalizing public services and fintech. For many of us, it’s now second nature to access government or commercial services instantly through a smartphone. This level of convenience has become so embedded in our daily lives that we often take it for granted. However, when we look deeper, we notice a different reality. Despite this visible digital infrastructure, there’s a significant lack of digital literacy — especially in the private sector. Many businesses are still not leveraging the full potential of digital technologies, including AI, data analytics, or automation. While we appear digitally advanced on the surface, in practice the digital transformation often remains quite superficial. The real challenge now is to deepen that transformation — to build not only user-facing digital tools but also internal digital capacity and data culture. In what areas do you think CAMCA initiatives can help them improve? One of the greatest strengths of CAMCA is its ability to bridge regional fragmentation. Although the CAMCA region is often perceived by the outside world as a cohesive bloc, internally we remain deeply segmented — informationally, economically, and culturally. Many countries in the region lack awareness of one another’s realities, opportunities, and success stories. Several years ago, I worked with a client on a cross-regional study, and it became clear to me how little we actually know about our neighbors. This informational disconnect leads to missed opportunities for collaboration and shared growth. Initiatives like the CAMCA Forum are essential because they foster not just dialogue, but a sense of common regional identity. Paradoxically, it often takes an external initiative to help us better recognize how much we share. Being born and raised in Kazakhstan, with roots in the Caucasus, I constantly reflect on the contrast between the two regions. Despite its political and linguistic diversity, the Caucasus is often perceived — and perceives itself — as more cohesive than Central Asia. In our region, we are still discovering our collective identity. You’re speaking in a session dedicated to women’s networks. How will women’s authority in Eurasian business look in 10 years compared to now? In our work with the She Business Women Community — a...

Central Asia Home Uzbekistan Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Features Tajikistan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kazakhstan Tajikistan Features Kazakhstan International Affairs Turkmenistan Features Features Kyrgyzstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees Uzbekistan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Home Kazakhstan Home

Citizens of Central Asia Face New Entry Restrictions To Russia and the U.S.

Citizens of Central Asian countries are encountering a wave of new travel restrictions from two major global powers, Russia and the United States. In recent weeks, Moscow and Washington have both introduced or expanded measures that complicate entry for citizens of the region, raising concerns about migration rights, bilateral relations, and regional security. Russia Tightens Border Rules Starting June 30, 2025, citizens from visa-free countries, including Kazakhstan, will be required to obtain a special QR code to enter Russia. The code must be secured in advance via the Gosuslugi RuID app, at least 72 hours before travel, or four hours in emergency cases. The app is not yet operational, but Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has confirmed its planned launch on the same date. While Russia maintains visa-free arrangements with over 30 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Israel, and all CIS members, these new digital entry requirements apply broadly. Exceptions include citizens of countries already subject to visa regimes, diplomats, and citizens of Belarus, a Union State member. Additionally, as of January 1, 2025, the allowable visa-free stay in Russia for citizens of these countries has been reduced from 90 days per half-year to 90 days per calendar year. Many Kazakhstani travelers fear that the new rules will result in long queues and technical delays at border crossings. More broadly, critics point out that the move undermines the spirit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), whose member states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Russia, are supposed to enjoy facilitated mobility. Response to the Crocus City Hall Attack The changes come in the wake of the March 22, 2024 terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, which left at least 145 dead and more than 500 injured. The suspects in the attack were reportedly citizens of Tajikistan, sparking a wave of anti-migrant sentiment in Russia. According to Temur Umarov, a Berlin-based political analyst at the Carnegie Center, Russian authorities are prioritizing security over economic necessity. "Russia is doing everything possible to reduce the number of migrants from Central Asia," he said, noting the vital role these workers play in several Russian industries. Regional Backlash Public figures and officials in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have expressed frustration over Russia’s tightened migration policy. In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a formal protest with the Russian ambassador following a widely publicized incident in which Kyrgyz citizens were forcibly removed from a Moscow bathhouse. Member of Parliament Zhana Akayev strongly condemned the treatment of Kyrgyz nationals: “Partners and allies do not behave like this. They are humiliating our citizens,” he said. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin criticized Russia’s approach as inhumane and called for migration policies that respect mutual interests and fundamental rights. In Uzbekistan, several bloggers have gone further, calling for entry bans on Russian public figures, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, for alleged chauvinistic remarks. Kazakhstan has taken a more measured stance. Aibek Smadiyarov, a spokesman for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, emphasized that the QR code system does not constitute a...

Central Asia Home Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Home Business & Economy Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Features Kazakhstan Home Kyrgyzstan Home

The Next Steps for Central Asian Finance: Interview with Azerbaijani Fintech Leader Dr. Fuad Karimov

This week The Times of Central Asia will be attending the CAMCA Regional Forum, which this year is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The CAMCA network is a collection of professionals and policymakers dedicated to sharing ideas, knowledge and inspiration to accelerate the development of the Eurasia region; its name stands for Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan. Ahead of the Forum, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Dr. Fuad Karimov, Regional Managing Director of the payment software company Xsolla, about what the CAMCA program means for the Eurasian finance industry, and how Azerbaijan can work more closely with Central Asia. TCA: What condition do you feel fintech spaces are currently in, particularly in the Eurasia region? FK: Fintech [financial technology] across the CAMCA region is accelerating. Countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have made significant progress in regulation and adoption. In Azerbaijan, key drivers include state-led digitalization and innovative companies like PashaPay and Birbank, which are transforming consumer payment behavior. Cross-border transfers, mobile banking, and contactless solutions are increasingly common across the region. In what areas do you think CAMCA initiatives can help them improve? CAMCA can create platforms to harmonize financial regulations, facilitate cross-border fintech testing, and promote knowledge exchange. It can also help reduce friction in currency conversion. Regional collaboration can attract investors from the West and Asia. Priorities should include cybersecurity, financial literacy, AI in finance, and coordinated exploration of digital currency pilots like e-Manat, e-Tenge, and e-Soum. You're moderating a session on harnessing fintech in CAMCA markets. What topics do you expect to touch upon, and who are you looking forward to hearing from? We’ll cover the rise of digital national currencies (CBDCs), crypto regulation, exchange rate risk, and the impact of AI on lending, compliance, and fraud prevention. I’m especially looking forward to hearing from fintech leaders in the CAMCA region — each representing diverse policy environments and innovation models. Where do you see opportunities for Central Asia to work more closely with Azerbaijan? There’s strong potential in co-developing cross-border payment systems, digital identity frameworks, and startup accelerators. Azerbaijan can share experience in building public-private fintech partnerships, while Central Asia offers scale and growing demand. Aligning exchange rate mechanisms, regulatory approaches, and education systems will enhance regional integration. The CAMCA platform is an ideal space to turn these synergies into actionable policy and investment opportunities.

Cultural Heritage Central Asia Home Life & Culture Kazakhstan Life & Culture Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees Kazakhstan Home

Kazakh Nomads and Authentic Tourism: Interview with Mongolia’s Cultural Envoy Dr. Gantemur Damba

This week The Times of Central Asia will be attending the CAMCA Regional Forum, which this year is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The CAMCA network is a collection of professionals and policymakers dedicated to sharing ideas, knowledge and inspiration to develop the Eurasia region; its name stands for Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan. Ahead of the Forum, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Mongolia’s Cultural Envoy, and the Vice Chair of the Asian Ecotourism Network, Dr. Gantumur Damba, about the country's Kazakh nomads, and what the CAMCA program means for Mongolian culture and tourism. TCA: Central Asia is geographically quite close to Mongolia, but Mongolia's culture is distinct. What parts of Mongolian life do you think make journeys here unique for visitors? GD: Indeed. While Mongolia has some cultural similarities with Central Asia due to historical links, it has developed its own distinct identity. We are a unique culture with influences from Buddhism, shamanism and animism in our pastoralist herder’s way of life. Eastern Mongolia is rich in historical sites, including Deluun Boldog, where Genghis Khan was born, and the historical ruins of 13th and 14th-century towns. Central Mongolia is centered on the ancient town of Kharkhorum – with UNESCO-inscribed intangible cultural events – and the beautiful Orkhon Valley. This region is also enriched by Mongolian Buddhist traditions and architectural sites. North Mongolia is the home of nomadic reindeer herders, who have strong shamanistic beliefs. They are one of the last groups in the world to still herd reindeer as their primary way of life. Mongolia's largest ethnic minority are Kazakhs, who live in the country's western regions. What opportunities do visitors to Mongolia have to discover the Mongolian Kazakh way of life? The Kazakhs of Mongolia have distinct cultural practices, and live mainly in western Mongolia, particularly in Bayan-Ölgii province. While they share a common heritage with Kazakhs in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations, their experience in Mongolia is shaped by their minority status and the influence of Mongolian culture and Buddhism, alongside their own Turkic language and Islamic traditions. Activities like eagle hunting demonstration events, trekking in the Altai Mountains, and exploring authentic nomadic life offer unique travel experiences. Travelers can experience authentic nomad Kazakh culture through homestays, participating in festivals, and witnessing traditional crafts, traditional music, epic storytelling and vibrant dances like the eagle dance. What places and activities in Mongolia do you most recommend to foreign visitors? Are you working on any new destinations? Mongolia offers a high degree of freedom and flexibility for travelers, especially when it comes to camping and exploring the vast landscapes. There are relatively few restrictions on where you can go and camp, and you can often choose your own route and pace. However, choosing the right travel partner is vital. I categorize our destinations according to three “Ms”. The first M stands for modified places – basically those that are spoiled. That includes Terelj, Kharkhorum and West Khuvsgul Lake, where you will find many resorts,...

Central Asia Home Justice Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees Kazakhstan Home

Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan: What Has and Hasn’t Changed for Victims

The issue of domestic violence in Kazakhstan has sparked intensified public debate in recent years, particularly following several high-profile cases involving public officials, businesspeople, and artists. Against this backdrop, analysts at the Ranking.kz portal examined how the situation has evolved and how effectively the state is addressing the issue. Stubborn Statistics According to the Committee on Legal Statistics, Kazakhstan has seen a significant decline in overall murder rates, from 1,400 cases in 2010 to 449 in 2024. Similar downward trends are observed for other serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and manslaughter. However, the share of murders classified as domestic crimes has increased from 17% in 2018 to 23% in 2024. This means that nearly one in four murders now occurs within families, and the decline in domestic homicide rates has been far slower than the national average. Significantly, during the period when domestic violence was criminalized (2015-2017), the number of murders dropped markedly. After its partial decriminalization, the trend reversed, with rates beginning to rise again. A noticeable change came in 2024, when certain domestic violence offenses, such as assault and minor bodily harm, were reclassified from administrative to criminal offences. This shift led to a sharp increase in related criminal cases, reflecting a new legal approach rather than a sudden spike in incidents. Currently, family conflicts that do not involve serious physical harm are handled under Article 73 of Kazakhstan’s Administrative Code, which covers insults, humiliation, and property damage. In 2024, 74,300 cases were registered under this article, up from 60,500 in 2010, although the earlier figure included assault as well. Punishing the Victims A report by the Human Rights Commissioner sharply criticized the previous administrative model for punishing domestic violence, which typically relied on warnings or brief detentions. In many cases, fines were paid out of the family budget, effectively penalizing the victims themselves. “The effectiveness of measures to prevent and stop violence was 35% in 2023 and just 20% in 2020. In the remaining cases, the violence was repeated,” noted experts from the National Center for Human Rights. Alarmingly, 40-45% of domestic violence victims are men, according to the same report. It also points out that when women resort to killing abusive partners after years of suffering, it highlights the failure of state policies to provide adequate protection. “Violence continues, and current protective measures fall short,” the report concludes. According to the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development, 6% of respondents nationwide reported experiencing domestic violence in 2024. The regional disparities are stark: in Mangistau, 38% of respondents said they had faced domestic violence, compared to 14% in Karaganda. Equally troubling is the limited awareness and use of support services. Nearly half of respondents had never heard of crisis centers. Of the 67,500 administrative and criminal domestic violence cases in 2023, only 4,400 victims, just 6.5%, sought help at such centers. In some regions, the rate was under 2%. Public Skepticism Remains High Surveys reflect widespread pessimism about progress on the issue. When asked how the domestic...